"Enthralling and suspenseful, EVERNEATH is pure indulgent escapism!" - Becca Fitzpatrick, NYT Bestselling Author of Hush, Hush
Last spring, Nikki Beckett vanished, sucked into an underworld known as the Everneath, where immortals Feed on the emotions of despairing humans. Now she's returned- to her old life, her family, her friends- before being banished back to the underworld... this time forever.
She has six months before the Everneath comes to claim her, six months for good-byes she can't find the words for, six months to find redemption, if it exists.
Nikki longs to spend these months reconnecting with her boyfriend, Jack, the one person she loves more than anything. But there's a problem: Cole, the smoldering immortal who first enticed her to the Everneath, has followed Nikki to the mortal world. And he'll do whatever it takes to bring her back- this time as his queen.
She's forced to make the hardest decision of her life: find a way to cheat fate and remain on the Surface with Jack or return to the Everneath and become Cole's...
"Ashton s debut, is complex and intriguing. Drawing inspiration from such myths as Osiris, Orpheus, and Persephone, it explores the nature of loss and longing and what it means to be alive." - Publishers Weekly
"I was pulled under by this bittersweet, beautiful retelling of the Persephone myth. Ashton's lovely storytelling and strong-on-her-own-terms main character set this one apart. Wonderful!" - Ally Condie, author of the MATCHED trilogy
"The powerful emotions, moving and painful rebuilding of strained relationships, and star-crossed love story is sure to resonate with teen readers." - School Library Journal
"A fresh, innovative concept to young adult fiction with well-developed characters and a fantastic plot line .... Libraries are advised to buy multiple copies-this one will fly off the shelves." - Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA) (starred review)
Everneath is an interesting mix of Greek and Egyptian mythology, paranormal, and contemporary fiction. The story follows Nikki after she has spent a century in the Everneath, but only 6 months has passed on the Surface. She's void of emotions, since she served as a life-force for an Everling during that time. However, her memories are safe, well one memory at least, which gave her the strength to make it through. Of course no one knows where Nikki has been this whole time, and they all think she went on a drug binge then checked into rehab. Nikki has 6 months to live her life before she must return to the Everneath and decide her fate: immortal life or the Tunnels.
Nikki wanted to return in order to say goodbye to her loved ones, but after receiving her punishment for "running away", there are no more mentions of her father and her interacting with him on any important level. There's only one page dedicated to her brother. I would have liked to get more of them, especially since they had recently lost their wife/mother also. It was like a double blow, but we barely get any of them and how Nikki's disappearance effected them. We do get plenty of Nikki and Jack, the boy from her memory. Jack is so sweet, kind, and patient with Nikki when she returns. He doesn't push her for information, and doesn't seem to automatically accept the rumors about her. However, she can't let herself get too close, since she knows she won't be staying.
Even though Jack seemed like the perfect guy, I found myself drawn to Cole. He's a rockstar, but not of this world, and he wants Nikki for himself. He was incredibly alluring even though I knew he was bad. There's just something about him that I couldn't get enough of. Every scene with him was chilling. In fact, the whole book has this dark tone, which I quite liked. Nikki's life isn't sunshine and rainbows; it's dreary and full of shadows.
I really enjoyed this book. It held my attention from the prologue to the very last page. It was heartbreaking, suspenseful and compelling, and I seriously cannot wait for the next book! I must say that this is not exactly a re-telling as much as it is just based around ancient myths. It uses the myths to explain the world, and not so much as a basis for the story. There are a few confusing bits, but overall I think it was very well done.
